The appointment of Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, has sparked significant backlash from football enthusiasts in Nigeria.
Chelle, who previously coached Mali, was confirmed by the Nigerian Football Federation on Tuesday. This decision followed the expiration of Jose Peseiro’s contract in February 2024.
Chelle was the recommendation of the NFF’s technical committee following the expiration of Jose Peseiro’s contract.
However, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau initially sought to bring in either Herve Renard or Janne Andersson to lead the Super Eagles.
Unfortunately, negotiations with both high-profile candidates fell through. This left the NFF scrambling for an alternative and in a moment of urgency, they turned to Bruno Labbadia which ultimately backed out of the position after an issue related to taxes emerged during the talks.
In light of these failed negotiations, Chelle became the NFF’s “panic option” and was appointed despite not being the first choice.
This situation has added fuel to the fire of criticism from football enthusiasts who are questioning the federation’s decision-making process.
Many feel the appointment is a sign of disarray and poor planning within the NFF, with some speculating that it might reflect an inability to secure top-tier coaching talent for the Super Eagles.
They have also questioned the NFF’s choice, particularly given Chelle’s limited international coaching success, such as leading Mali to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Critics argue that the NFF overlooked more qualified indigenous Nigerian coaches in favor of a foreign coach, with some even suggesting that the decision might be financially motivated, citing a preference for paying foreign coaches in foreign currency like US dollars.
“So out of all our home-based coaches, we don’t have one better than this man (Chelle)? Just because we want to pay in dollars? I am heartbroken I swear. It’s all about personal interest and not that of the team,” Broadcast journalist Charlie Diya wrote.
Other journalists and football pundits expressed their disappointment on social media, with some lamenting that the NFF’s decision is a blow to the reputation of Nigerian coaches.
Comments like “heartbroken” and “shame” reflect the frustration surrounding the choice, with many wondering why a coach with Chelle’s record was deemed a better option than Nigerian candidates.
Some critics even fear that this marks a further decline in Nigerian football, with concerns about the country’s ability to compete in future major tournaments like the 2026 World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.
“Very strange appointment in the history of Nigerian football. Does this move mean there are no coaches better than Chelle to lead the Eagles? I weep for my country,” Olatunji Akowonjo wrote.
Another journalist also Nwajei Okafor wrote on X, “How can you appoint a quarter-finalist when you cannot keep a finalist in the same tournament, O Nigeria my country
Tobi Adepoju also added, “Our football is on a low and a major decline. After this appointment, The NFF will appoint coaches from Benin Republic and Togo.
“The NFF appointing Chelle as Eagles coach is just a shame and insult to all the Nigerian coaches. I weep for our football,” Omowunmi Sunday wrote.
Prince Rotimi-Semasa Wusu also added, “Who be this one again? Chai Naijaaa.”
Samuel Alade also wrote via @tsukool, “I hope this is another joke, because it cannot be true. I had no expectations from this people, but this is another level of low from the NFF.”
@Chris4Obi also posted, “Nigeria should just wave goodbye to World Cup 2026 and dye any hope of AFCON glory.”
